Chapter 33: Dragon Pokémon

Chapter 33: Dragon Pokémon

~Third POV~

[Kanto Region, Lavender Town – Pokémon Tower 4F]

The chilling wind whipped around Azure, tugging at the jacket. Behind him, the ominous winds of the Pokémon Tower loomed with each floor they ascended higher up. Pikachu was perched on his shoulder, ready for action.

Beside him, Growlithe stood tall, his eyes scanning the surrounding graveyard intensely. Dratini was less outwardly affected, but Azure could feel the unease from the Dragon Pokémon. They stepped forward with Growlithe's fire acting as a beacon, piercing the gloom.

Azure gripped the strap of his backpack tighter, a shiver running down his spine that had nothing to do with the cold. He was determined as he gazed at the floors of Pokémon Tower, giving him a sense of unease.

His other Pokémon weren't faring better staying within their Poke Balls, but were prepared for action if things went south. With a deep breath, Azure exhaled as they continued to Pokémon Tower 4F.

The air grew thick and heavy as they approached the entrance of 5F. Rotting planks groaned under their feet, and the stench of decay hung heavy in the air.

Inside, the Tower was even more oppressive. Dust motes danced in the shafts of pale light filtering through the boarded-up windows, illuminating faded murals of Pokémon and trainers long gone.

Azure frowned as he thought in a concerned tone, gazing at the lack of Ghost Types within the area, 'Where's the Ghost Type Pokémon? Surely, I would've seen one or two by going up, but none came…'

The entrance to Pokémon Tower, next to the stairs, was guarded by two menacing Team Rocket grunts, their faces concealed by the organization's signature black uniforms. They sneered at Azure as he approached, as one of the grunts coldly demanded, "Well, well, what do we have here? Another little kid wanting to play hero? You're in over your head, kid. Turn around and go home before you get hurt."

Azure stood his ground, his eyes blazing with defiance. His Pokémon glared at the ready as he replied resolutely, "I'm here to stop you. You're hurting people and Pokémon. I won't let you get away with it."

The grunts exchanged amused glances before bursting into laughter. One asked with a confident tone, holding their Poke Balls at the ready, "You? Stop us? Don't make us laugh. You and what army?"

Azure replied, gesturing to his Pokémon, "This army. Pikachu, Electro Ball!"

Pikachu, without hesitation, unleashed a powerful Electro Ball, striking one of the grunts with a blinding flash of electricity. The grunt stumbled backward, momentarily stunned as he continued, "Growlithe, Ember!"

*Brrr*

Growlithe unleashed a volley of fiery Embers at the other grunt, forcing him to raise his arms in defense. The battle had begun.

As Azure and his Pokémon fought their way through the ground floor of Pokémon Tower, battling relentless waves of Team Rocket grunts, he felt a presence watching him, a faint, ethereal feeling.

But he shook it off as he continued onward to the next floor. And the next till he reached the entrance of F6…

/////

[Kanto Region, Lavender Town – Pokémon Tower 6F]

Azure and his Pokémon continue to travel up the floors, reaching the entrance of the final floor of Pokémon Tower. But Azure noticed something on the floor as he mumbled, "What's this stuff…?"

*Blp*

*BLORK*

What Azure stumbled upon was purple goo. But suddenly, it sprang up into a wave as Azure commanded Dratini at the ready, "Dratini. Surf."

*Splash*

Washing away the poison wave directed at them, a figure from the shadows spoke up in a cocky tone revealing to be Koga from Mt. Moon, "Nyahahaha! Ah, yes. The squirt who spoiled my carefully laid plans. I'm one of the Team Rocket Elite Triad… Ninja Koga!"

Azure narrowed his eyes while his Pokémon were ready to defend him as he said calmly, "I'm assuming I'm talking to a projection instead of the real Koga?"

The projection of Koga smirked as he continued speaking in a confident tone, "Heh. Wouldn't you think a team of evildoers could build a base without all these annoying interruptions? It's perfect for us that the simple townsfolk blame everything suspicious on ghosts. But are you here to save that old man on the top floor?"

Azure simply nodded as Koga's Arbok slithered down with an ominous glare. He looked at Dratini's level being Lv. 29, as he commanded, "Dratini… this all on you. Battling this training dummy would help you finally evolve."

Koga's eyes narrowed at his words as Azure saw that Arbok was Lv.32 higher than his Dratini. But also provided the perfect means to finally have her evolve in a harsh battle as Dratini lunged forward, "Dra!"

Dratini, despite her smaller size, bravely faced the Arbok. She launched a Twister attack, the swirling winds buffeting the Snake Pokémon, but it barely faltered. This was a Pokémon far more powerful than any she had faced before.

*CHOMP*

The Arbok retaliated with a brutal Bite attack, sinking its fangs into Dratini's tail. She cried out in pain, struggling to free herself, "DRA!!!"

Azure's heart pounded in his chest. He knew that Dratini was strong, but she was outmatched. He considered recalling her, but something within him held back. He knew how much Dratini wanted to prove herself.

He remembered the desperate glint in Dratini's eyes when he found her, the determination and the resilience she had shown as she slowly began to trust him and his team. He remembered the countless hours of training, the unwavering dedication, and the powerful connection they shared.

He couldn't give up on her now. His eyes narrowed as he thought seriously, 'If I doubt her now, then what would that mean trusting my Pokémon? I know she'll win!!'

The battle raged on, a whirlwind of attacks and near misses. Dratini, though weakened, fought with unwavering determination. She dodged and weaved, using her Agility to evade the Arbok's relentless assault.

*Swooosh*

Azure noticed something else. Dratini was glowing, a faint, ethereal light emanating from her body. He knew exactly what was happening as he thought happily, 'She's on the verge of evolution. She just needed that little extra push!'

The Arbok lunged again, coiling around Dratini, constricting her with its immense strength, tightening. Dratini cried out, her scales beginning to crack slightly under the immense pressure.

Azure, though concerned with his heart sinking, 'This was it…'

But then, something incredible happened. The light surrounding Dratini intensified, engulfing her in a blinding aura. The Arbok recoiled, momentarily stunned. The cracking sounds grew louder until – with a final surge of energy – Dratini shattered her previous form, transforming.

*CRACK*

A magnificent, serpentine creature emerged from the light, its scales gleaming like polished jade, its brilliant blue wings shimmering in the dim light. Dratini had evolved, causing Azure to smile as he said in awe, "She's now a Dragonair, a creature of immense power and grace."

The change in Dratini was remarkable. Dragonair is a long, serpentine, reptilian Pokémon with sky-blue scales and a white underside. It has a rounded snout, oval purple eyes, and a small white horn on its forehead. On each side of its head is a small, stylized wing, which is white and curves into a swirl at the base. Three blue crystal orbs adorn its body: one on its neck and two on its tail.

Her eyes, once filled with innocent curiosity, now blazed with newfound confidence and strength. The Arbok, momentarily stunned, hissed in confusion.

It had never encountered such a sudden and dramatic transformation. And without its trainer to give orders like in the original, it was left confused, as the original couldn't tell what to do without instructions.

Azure checked his Arc Phone, seeing Dratini now with Dragonair status. And smirked, seeing a new move, she learned 2 new moves.

|Name: Dragonair (Dragon Pokémon)

|Type: Dragon

|Level: 30

|Gender: Female

|Held Item: [Dragon Fang]

|Ability: Marvel Scale (Hidden Ability)

|Nature: Adamant

|Moves: Wrap, Leer, Twister [S], Dragon Tail [A][S], Thunder Wave, Dragon Rage, Iron Tail [A], Protect, Agility, Slam, Dragon Pulse, Dragon Breath, Bubblebeam (TM), Surf (HM), Extreme Speed [A] (IM), Dragon Dance (EM) (5 Moves to Learn)

[Dragonair, the Dragon Pokémon. Dragonair emits a gentle aura that gives it a mystical appearance. It can make its wings grow larger to fly, but otherwise moves through the air unaided. Dragonair hosts a large amount of energy within its body, which it can discharge through the crystals on its neck and tail.

This causes its body to brighten and give off a different aura that changes the weather in its vicinity. As a result, Dragonair has been referred to as a "divine Pokémon" since ancient times by agricultural peoples. Dragonair is a rare Pokémon that inhabits pristine seas and lakes.

The lakes Dragonair lives in are usually filled with offerings from people in gratitude. It is said that a person who sees a Dragonair at the start of a year will be healthy for the whole year. Dragonair is known to channel power and change the weather even while it sleeps.]

Dragonair turned to face her opponent, her eyes radiating a powerful aura of dragon energy as she roared, "DRAAAA!!!"

Azure gave his command in a determined tone, "Now! Dragon Breath!"

She released a deafening Dragon Breath, the concentrated transparent beam of energy slamming into the Arbok with devastating force. The Arbok, caught completely off guard, was sent hurtling back, crashing into the wall with a sickening thud as the lower half of its chest was cleanly cut off.

*PEW*

*SHINNG*

*THUD*

It lay there, twitching and defeated, paralyzed on the floor. Azure stared in awe at his newly evolved Dragonair.

He knew she was strong, but he hadn't realized the full extent of her potential. He felt a surge of pride and admiration for his Pokémon. He breathed, his voice filled with wonder, gazing at his mighty dragon, "Incredible! Dragonair, you were amazing!"

Dragonair turned to him, her eyes shining with pride, and nuzzled him gently. He returned the affection, stroking her smooth scales.

The rest of his Pokémon congratulated Dragonair for her hard-fought battle and evolution, causing her to blush at the compliments. Turning back to Koga's projection, he announced in a determined tone, "Your games end here, Koga!"

With the Arbok defeated, the path to Mr. Fuji was clear. Koga's projection flickered, seeing Azure leaving figure as he gritted his teeth, muttering in a hateful tone, "Grrrr… I won't forget this, little worms!"

*Shiii*

The projection was turned off as an injured Gastly managed to grab Arbok into its Poke Ball. It then fled the scene, returning to his Trainer, Koga.

//////

[Kanto Region, Lavender Town – Pokémon Tower 7F]

Azure reached the top of Pokémon Tower and found Mr. Fuji. He quickly freed him as he asked in a confused tone, "Oh, you came to save me. Uh, who are you?"

Azure helped him as he introduced himself in an upbeat tone with his Pokémon on standby, "My name's Azure Sky, sir. I'm the one who defeated Team Rocket in Pokémon Battle, kicking them out of Pokémon Tower."

Mr. Fuji's eyes widened in shock at the news as he helplessly said, getting free from his bounds, "Well, then I owe you my gratitude. With Team Rocket gone, the spirits can finally find the peace they desperately sought, and we have you to thank for that as well, Azure."

Azure smiled as they helped Mr. Fuji, leaving Pokémon Tower to inform the People of Lavender Town. He smiled, doing a good deed with his Pokémon by his side and the newly evolved Dragon Pokémon.